News
Nigerians, Churches Groaning Under Economic Pressure — Anglican Bishop
The Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Most Reverend Simeon Borokini, has expressed deep concern over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria, lamenting its severe impact on citizens and churches nationwide.
The Anglican Bishop stated this while delivering his charge at the first session of the 15th Diocesan Synod, with the theme “Trusting the God of Abundant Grace” held at St. James’ Anglican Church, Oda, in the Akure South Local Council Area of Ondo State.
Borokini noted that the economic hardship is not only affecting the daily lives of Nigerians but is also crippling the operations of many churches, saying the harsh economic realities have left many congregants struggling to meet financial obligations, including tithes and offerings.
According to the cleric, churches do not benefit from any form of government subvention and are solely dependent on the goodwill and contributions of members.
READ ALSO:Nigeria Becoming Land Flowing With Tears And Blood — Anglican Bishop Of Warri Laments
“Churches do not receive any form of financial subvention from the government. Our survival depends entirely on the offerings and donations from our members,” he said.
The Anglican Bishop, however, urged the government to improve the country’s economic situation. The harsh economic realities have left many church members struggling to meet their financial obligations, including support to churches.
He said, “When you are talking about the church, you cannot exclude the government because the composition of the government is the people, and it affects the members. I’m not talking about Anglican members alone but Christians all over.
“And especially, the church doesn’t get any subvention from the government; it is the little collections from the members, and if the money doesn’t circulate, if the members don’t have enough, the church will receive little. So it is affecting the church adversely.
READ ALSO:Homes Are Bleeding, Methodist Archbishop Tells Tinubu
“That is why we are saying that the economic situation of the country should be improved. If there are industries that enable gainful employment, I think the economy of the people will be improved and more people will donate to the church.”
While calling on the Federal Government to urgently address the economic downturn, Borokini urged President Bola Tinubu to focus more on policies that promote industrial development and job creation, especially for the youth.
He also commended the administration’s efforts in tackling insecurity and improving infrastructure, noting that while some progress has been made, more work needs to be done in areas such as employment generation and the fight against banditry and kidnappings.
The clergy appealed to President Tinubu to further intensify the campaign against banditry and kidnappings, Borokini maintained that the President deserved commendation following his assessment and performance in the last two years.
READ ALSO:Catholic Bishops To FG: Save Nigerians From Multi Dimensional Poverty
“We will commend him (Tinubu) for the foreign exchange, which is somehow stable. Also the insecurity, especially in the northern part where there is a reduction, maybe because of the Defence Minister and others in charge of security. There is a reduction in insecurity.
“Though we cannot give a 100 percent mark, to some extent, there is a little bit of reduction, and we also want to encourage them should still intensify the security network.
“Not only in the northern part, but all over the country, particularly the menace of herdsmen and kidnappers, because they serve as threats even to travellers and farmers.
“If the security situation is fully tackled, it will improve our economy, and food production will be available for the masses. So the idea of hunger in the land will reduce.
READ ALSO:Nigerians Queuing For Palliative Is Height Of Indignity — Bishop Kukah
“On infrastructure, we want to commend the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike. Since he has assumed office with the backing of the president, there is a sort of facelift in Abuja, and we see many things in progress.
“Not only in Abuja but also in some parts of the country. Infrastructure should also be intensified so that it will make life easier for the general populace.
“Government should create more employment, especially for our graduates, because if they don’t have anything to do, like the Bible says, the devil finds work for idle hands.
“I’m not saying the government will find jobs for everybody, but they should try as much as possible to create some work that can engage some of our youth. So they should look in that direction.
“In our assessment, we give him 60 percent, and we expect him to still do more so that life will be easy for the generality of the populace.“
News
Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.
Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.
Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.
“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.
READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole
He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.
According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.
Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.
READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku
He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.
One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.
He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan
Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack
Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint
Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached
Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
-
Headline4 days agoWoman Passes Out After Receiving 100 Strokes Of Cane
-
Headline4 days agoJUST IN: White House Locked Down Briefly As Gunman Opens Fire At Security Checkpoint
-
Politics3 days agoTwo Masked Men Gun Down Politician In His Rivers State Hotel
-
Politics5 days agoWarri Ijaw Hail INEC Delineation Report, Call For Additional Electoral Wards, Others
-
Metro4 days agoPolice Reject N500m Bribe, Recover N7.8bn Illicit Drugs In Lagos
-
News3 days agoMore Pain For Nigerians As Cooking Gas Price Increases Nationwide
-
News5 days agoAlleged Terrorism: Court Rejects Defendant’s Bid To Travel Abroad
-
Politics5 days agoWhat I’ll Do As President Of Nigeria — Amaechi
-
News3 days agoFG Declares Two Days Public Holiday For Eid-el Kabir Celebration
-
Politics3 days ago‘Tinubu’s Borrowing In 24 Months Surpasses 55 Years’ Debt Record’